After recently trying a new
skin care serum and mask made from kale, I began to wonder just how hard it would be to whip up some skin care recipes homemade in my own kitchen. I'm a natural beauty junkie, so half of my products already contain fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and it wouldn't be such a stretch to try to make my own. After a little experimenting, I learned that making exfoliating, moisturizing and cleansing products in my kitchen isn't really such a big deal. The only drawback is that there is some clean-up involved.
But hey, I'm a mom. I'm used to that.
So we talked to Nina Curtis, a 25-year beauty expert and certified natural health pro who's known as the aestheticians' aesthetician. She offered up three summer skin care recipes on behalf of
Blendtec, because you can whip all of them right up in your blender to help
make your skin glow--and your counter messy.
Homemade Organic Oatmeal Cleansing Exfoliator
I love to exfoliate, but am not a fan of those plastic microbeads that many skin care brands put in their scrubs which also happen to pollute our oceans. This simple, earth-friendly recipe (shown at top) uses oatmeal and honey for dry skin, banana for sensitive skin, or yogurt for oily skin.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup organic steel cut oatmeal
Plus choice of:
Goat milk yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon organic lemon juice (for oily skin)
Raw, organic honey (for dry skin)
Ripe banana (for sensitive skin)
Instructions:
Blend oatmeal in a blender until it becomes flour-like. Combine with equal parts water to create a paste. Add yogurt and lemon juice, honey,
or banana, depending on your skin type. Massage the mixture into your skin with upward and outward motions. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Pat gently and finish up with your favorite moisturizer.
Homemade Pineapple Papaya Skin Smoother
Who doesn't want smoother skin, especially in the summer when so many more of our bits are exposed? I love this skin smoother for the way it softens my cracked heels. However super-sensitive skin types might want to stay away from this one since it contains enzymes and physical particles that can be irritating.
Ingredients:
1 ripe papaya
1 teaspoon papaya seeds
1 cup pineapple
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Put all of the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth (The Blendtec
Twister Vessel has the ability to pulverize the papaya seeds into powder). For face, apply the mixture to dampened facial skin and gently massage in for about 30 seconds. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse. Apply your moisturizer.
To use on your body, go into your shower naked and apply the mixture over all of your body, concentrating on areas that need it most, like elbows and knees. Massage in for a few minutes, rinse, and finish up with body lotion.
To tackle dry heels (it's flip-flop season!) apply it on feet and wrap them up with plastic wrap. Cover each foot with a hand towel and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Remove wrap, massage feet and rinse off. Douse your feet with a thick foot cream.
Homemade Yogurt Hand Smoother
Your hands show aging more than the rest of you. (Well, more than some parts of you. and that's all we'll say about that.) Give them a turn on the time machine with this easy hand exfoliating recipe.
Ingredients:
4 ounces ground almonds or almond meal
4 teaspoons almond oil
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 - 2 ounces organic goat milk yogurt
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth to a thick consistency. Rub a walnut-sized amount all over your hands for about two minutes, like you're using soap. Rinse off and apply hand cream. You can store the remainder in a glass container and keep in the fridge for two weeks. Use the mixture daily if desired.
